Time Through Time We Remain Untamed.

CHAPTER 21: TEAMWORK

       Wuxian's heart was beating fast despite the easiness his body moved with. They walked through the underground hallways of the huge stadium and came up to the open space within the confinement. It was here, the Yearly Spring Martial Arts Competition. Today was the day they had been training and waiting for. Wuxian looked over and glanced at Lan Zhan to see if he was feeling the same way he was as each step brought them closer to the crowd. Lan Zhan looked back as he felt Wuxian's eyes on him and peered at his face. Words weren't necessary as the two shared a reassuring look and Wuxian felt himself ease down. He saw the determination and trust Lan Zhan held in him and themselves and Wuxian took it to strengthen himself. They were more than prepared and would ensure victory was theirs that day. No need for fear. Feeling rejuvenated, Wuxian relaxed himself and assumed his usual carefree and corky attitude. He was here to win and nothing would stop him. He saw the slight smirk Lan Zhan spotted, who was more at ease seeing Wuxian regain himself and sent a smile of his own back at him. As long as they had each other, everything would be just fine.

      They finally came into the opening and found the rest of the other competitors assembled. Lan Zhan and Wuxian stood together behind their supervisor who had guided them in and awaited the commentator who would give them further instructions. Since it was the advanced duo team levels, the students had been separated from their masters as they would compete in various categories that weren't normal per say. The commentator just came to go over the rules of each level and what was allowed and expected of them. Both Lan Zhan and Wuxian listened carefully as there was no room for mistakes or carelessness. All of the students had been told a month prior to the competition what the levels were and what they should train for but had not been given specific details in order to maintain some fairness. The participants were just told to prepare efficiently and avoid casualties and Lan Zhan and Wuxian had trained extensively in order to match up.

       The commentator went through all the regulations and formalities and the charges that would be given in the case of foul play or an oversight within the competition. After that the duo teams were separated. There were 3 categories and in the 1st round it was almost as though they would play hide and seek. One of the members of the duo team would be hidden in a mass area within the forest. His partner is supposed to find them in a given amount of time and come out of the forest in order to pass to the next round. The hidden member would be secured in a certain place and was not allowed to make any noise to notify his seeker where he is. The seeker must find them by their own merit and moreover the seeker would be blindfolded. In addition, after they found each other, the two would undergo various ambushes in the forest in which the seeker should protect the hidden while the hidden should take out all of the ambushes against them. It would be a match of pure wit and intellect against the senses and body and prove the chemistry between members of the duo team.
  
       Lan Zhan gazed at Wuxian and gave him an acknowledging look. The two had agreed that Wuxian would be the one who would be hidden and Lan Zhan would seek. They had a higher chance of Lan Zhan finding him than the other way around. Wuxian smiled back as he got taken away with the other hidden members and really hoped Lan Zhan would succeed well. It was time to prove themselves. Lan Zhan stayed behind with the other seekers and they waited for about an hour before they were taken to the forest to begin the challenge.

       Lan Zhan grabbed his sword and a bow and arrows for Wuxian. After freeing Wuxian, the two would have to work together to get out safely without any injuries to themselves and Lan Zhan knew it was better for Wuxian to have a bow than a sword. It would strengthen their force.

     "ATTENTION CHALLENGERS! YOU ARE NOW AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE SEEKING FOREST WHICH IS THE FIRST CHALLENGE. YOUR HIDDEN MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN VARIOUS PLACES WITHIN THE FOREST. YOU ALL HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES TO FIND THEM AND COME OUT VICTORIOUS AFTER ESCAPING THE VARIOUS AMBUSHES. I REITERATE THAT YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CALL OUT TO THEM AND THAT IF YOU FAIL YOU SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED. YOUR RESPECTIVE PARTNERS HAVE BEEN SECURED 100 METRES IN THEREFORE BE AWARE AND FOLLOW THE PATH. ALL THE BEST! BEGIN!! " the whistle was blown and Lan Zhan set forth. The whole 1st category would be virtually viewed to the public audience who were in the arena far off so that they wouldn't be distracted too much and it was much safer.